Synthesis, characterization and drug release applications of silica hybrid structures

Mesoporous materials are very attractive to be used in a wide range of applications such as adsorption, drug release, heterogeneous catalysis, ion exchange, polymer composite, wastewater treatment and chromatography due to their high stability and high surface area, adjustable pore size and low toxicity. The biocompatibility of mesoporous silica (MS) has enabled them to play a significant role in drug release studies. In addition, the MS surface can be easily modified with different reactive groups and these materials are in high demand. In the scope of this thesis, the synthesis, characterization and modification of MS were carried out and, drug loading and release studies were also performed. The synthesized MS has the ordered structure, high surface area, homogeneous pore size distribution and it was then modified with Schiff base (S) ligand (as S-MS). The characterization of MS and S-MS were accomplished with SEM, BET surface area, FT-IR spectroscopic, XRD and DLS analyses. The adsorption of diclofenac sodium (DS) and metformin HCl (MF), which were preferred as model drugs, onto MS and S-MS investigated in aqueous solution with respect to pH, the amount of adsorbent and contact time. In addition, the hybrids of MS and S-MS were prepared to use for the drug release studies and their efficiencies in drug release studies were then investigated. Keywords: Mesoporous silica, Modification, Adsorption, Drug loading, Drug release.